Automatic control system for rolling mills and adjustable dies



Feb. 15, 1965 G. A. BRANscoM ETAL 3,169,424

AUTOMATIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ROLLING MILLS AND ADJUSTABLE DIES l5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 30, 1962 NNu PEm-SOO INVENTORS.

BY M l-b ATTORNEY Feb. 16, 1965 G. A. BRANscoM ETAL 3,159,424

AUTOMTIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ROLLING I MILLS AND ADJUSTABLE DIES 15 sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 30, 1962 ...Om-kzou) ATTORNEY Feb. 16, 1965 G. A. BRANscoM ETAL 3,169,424 AUTOMATIC CGNTROL SYSTEM FOR ROLLING MILLS AND ADJUSTABLE DIES Filed Jan. 50, 1962 15 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVERTED AND" INVERTED "OR" Flaac "M" FIG.2A FIC-32B SI s FlG.2D

09" FF AMPLIFIER RI A iR FIG- 2E FuP- FLoP F|G.2E

SII IS s v P SR -cml 1os o o -of Iloso| IR R "one sHoT SWF-r REGISTER STAGE couNTr-:R STAGE MuLTwnaRAToR FIG 2G F|G.2H FIGZI P IGI rms FA s "TRIGGER" FIG' 2J FULL ADDER F|G.2K

GLENN A.v BRANSCOM BURNETTE P. CHAUSSE JOHN A. LNDNER KENNETH R. THOMPSON INVENTORS ATTORNE Y Feb. 16, 1965 G. A. BRANscoM ETAL 3,169,424

AUTOMATIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ROLLING MIL-.LS AND ADJUSTABLE DIES 15 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 30, 1962 GLENN A. BRANSCOM BURNETTE E CHAUSSE JOHN A. LJNDNER KENNETH R. THOMPSON W, f w n.9... moan ATTORNEY Feb- 16, 1965 G. A. BRANscoM ETAL 3,169,424

AUTOMATIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ROLLING MILLS AND ADJUSTABLE DIES Filed Jan. 30. 1962 15 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORN EY g 3.3 9m o l ooi N hQ2 j) J E m IY? P o J/ s r@ d. 2.9. 0L ouRM m mo wo WMEM E ,5a Nk 7.a. .3. mcw w @V o 3 kann. 1 x B l f En? En? 5-91( ALH vo MUAH M vdi www f n m0,? No

3 o l N N 5.958 EE 2925MB G. A. BRANscoM ETAL 3,169,424

AUTOMATIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ROLLING MILLS AND ADJUSTABLE DIES 15 Sheets-Sheet 6 Feb. 16, 1965 Filed Jan. 50, 1962 FIG. 5

(D D ll-I I D Z D I GLENN A. BRANSCOM BURNETTE l? CHAUSSE w `JOHN #A LINDNER 2 :g KENNETH RO THOMPSON 9 E mvEN'roRs.

BY wtf 'ATTORNEY G. A. BRANscoM ETAL 3,169,424 AUTOMATIC CONTRDL. SYSTEM FOR ROLLING Feb. 16, 1965 MILLS AND ADJUSTABLE DIES 15 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed Jan. 50. 1962 ATTORNEY Feb. 16, 1965 G. A. BRANscoM E'rAL 3,169,424

AUTOMATIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ROLLING MILLS AND ADJUSTABLE DIES Filed Jan. 30, 1962 15 Sheets-Sheet 8 MULTIPLEX 7- MULTI 25 MULTIPLEX SAMPLE TIME COUNTER (PORTION) FIG. 7

GLENN A. BRANSCOM BURNETTE I? CHAUSSE JOHN A. LINDNER KENNETH R. THOMPSON INVENTORS /falb/ 5K4 ATTORNEY Feb. 16, 1965 G. A. BRANscoM ETAL 3,169,424

AUTOMATIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ROLLING MILLS AND ADJUSTABLE: DIES Filed Jan. 3o, 1962 15 sheets-sheet 9 CTR CTR

crn cTR I fk- %8ZSA SAMPLE 'rms couN'rER(PoRT|oN) oo L 9 L u LL GLENN A. BRANSCOM o BURNETTE E CHAUSSE JOHN A: UNDNER KENNETH R. THOMPSON INVENTORS.

CTR-

l-v- 2o ATTORNEY Feb. 16, 1965 Filed Jan. 30, 1962 G. A. BRANSCOM ETAL AUTOMATIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ROLLING MILLS AND ADJUSTABLE DIES l5 Sheets-Sheet 10 INVENTORS.

BY JM (3M ATTORNEY Feb. 16, 1965 G4 A. BRANSCOM ETAL Filed Jan. 30, 1962 l5 Sheets-Sheet 11 FIG. I0

o C. Q

sL- f Y l gg t: 2: d Q m '9 u, o om .-1 ,J N s 8 o 9 'EE-kr Q g o l 2 GLENN- A, BRANscoM E a BURNETTE e cHAussE Ldorm A LlNnNER KENNETH R.1'HoNPsoN E INVENToRs.

BY fewfsw ATTORNEY Feb. 16, 1965 G. A. BRANscoM ETAL AUTOMATIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ROLLING MILLS AND ADJUSTABLE DIES 15 Sheets-Sheet l2 Filed Jan. 30, 1962 GLENN A. BRANSCOM BURNETTE E CHAUSSE N 0 am m J1 www k MTN S 0.1 ma Ww LH Am M N HN mw. /f Y B ATTORNEY Feb. 16, 1965 G. A. BRANscoM ETAL 3,169,424

AUTOMATIC CONTROL. SYSTEM FOR ROLLING MILLS AND ADJUSTABLE DIES l5 Sheets-Sheet 13 Filed Jan. 30, 1952 Feb. 16, 1965 Filed Jan. 50, 1962 MILLS AND ADJUSTABLE DIES 15 Sheets-Sheet 14 cTR f IBEGII j |3|| J [l CTR CTR oo- 0- IR :3l-:elm I wisc? ClE-Smg R I -ls 1 s sacos J FF 3-29] R cacca s @I FF -zl] '3 0. R 13cm SO l2|0 -so9 -12u cs-og lo-os |oo4 J l loow j J J T GLENN A. aRANscQ ENTRY GAGE DEvaArloN cALcuLATloN BURNETTE P-'CHAUSE STORAGE COUNTER JOHN A- LINDNER x KENNETH R. THaMPsoN INVENTORS FIG. I3 BY 4J fsm-4 ATTRNEY Feb 16, 1965 G. A. BRANscoM ETAL 3,169,424

AUTOMATIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ROLLING MILLS AND ADJUSTABLE DIES Filed Jan. 30, 1962 15 Sheets-Sheet 15 MILL CONTROL 3-09 BINARY 3 02 coMPARAToR GLENN A.` BRANSCOM BURNETTE P. CHAUSSE JOHN: A. LINDNER F' G- KENNETH R. THOMPSON INVENToRs.

BY ,f Stag? ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,169,424 AUTGMATEC CGNTRCL SYS'IEM FSR RQLLNG NHLLS AND ADSUSTABLE DlES Glenn A. Branscom, Bui-nette P. Chausse, Sohn A. Lindner, and Kenneth R. Thompson, Roanoke, Va., assignors to General Electric Company, a corporation or New York Filed dan. 3u, 1962, Ser. No. 169,338 9 iaims. (Cl. Sti-56) This invention relates to the production of material by rolling or drawing through rolling mills or" dies having adjustable separation between opposing surfaces. More particularly, the invention relates to measuring and control systems lor association with such equipment for adapting it to produce material having a highly uniform gage thickness.

Generally, the invention is directed to the automatic production of material by rolling through a single or multiple stand rolling mill or by drawing through single or multiple dies of the kind having opposing die surfaces. The control of such operations requires continuous monitoring of the output dimensions, generation of correction signals, and feedback of the correction signals to the separation control means. The etliciency and reliability ot control is determined by the accuracy, speed or operation, and simplicity of the control system. Presently, there are three techniques which are employed jointly or separately in the majority of systems. These techniques include: making gage measurements beyond the exit of a rolling mill or die, comparing them with the desired gage, and generating correction signals; making elongation measurements beyond the exit of the mill or die, cornparing them with a calculated elongation value based upon knowledge of the original length and dimensions of the material, and generating correction signals; and making roll pressure measurements, comparing them with a calculated roll pressure based upon knowledge of the materials properties, and generating correction signals to compensate for discrepancies.

ln systems controlling moving material where there is a physical displacement between the place where measurements are madeand the place where actions are taken in response to these measurements, the location of the measuring means and the speed with which the measurements are made is important. Furthermore, the transport time, ie., the time required for an increment of material to traverse the distance between the measuring means and the point of action, or vice versa, is important. The eect of these factors is clearly illustrated by the problems encountered in use of the aforementioned control systems.

' When using gage measurements at the exit of a rolling mill in order to adjust the mill to obtain the desired output dimensions, the distance between the bite of the rolls and the measuring gage, commonly referred. to as transport distance, makes it impossible to modify an existing mill condition until at least a length of material equivalent to the transport distance has been processed. In addition to this, it the correction is insuilicent, it will not be realized until an additional strip of material equivalent to the transport distance has again been processed. Where the input gage is subject to variation, the material Wastage and undesirable results of systems controlled by gage measurements at the exit side of the mill become even more pronounced.

Control systems employing elongation measurements "ice eliminate the problems created by transport distance. These systems operate on the principle that for a particular increment of length passing into the mill, there will be an equal or greater increment of length emitted. It the width of material is constant, the length upon exit is proportional to the amount of reduction. In an elongation measuring system, the transport time is essentially zero and the sensing time, i.e., the time required to sense the degree of elongation, can be reduced to a minimum. These systems have shortcomings, however, which are extremely serious. Such systems are operative to reduce material by a given percentage and not by a given dimension; consequently, unless the entry gage is constant, the gage of the processed material will vary in proportion to the entry gage variations.

Mill control systems based upon measurements of roll pressure also eliminate transport time and transport distance as material wastage factors but serious disadvantages are substituted. One of the most pronounced shortcomings is the effect of variations in material hardness. Because herd materials will not be reduced in dimension as much as soft materials under a given roll pressure, where the strip hardness varies, the gage of the material after processing varies.

The present invention is based upon the fact that the volume or" Vmaterial exiting from a mill ordie must be' equal to the volume of material entering the mill or die. As described hereinafter, the control system measures the deviation of the entry'gage from an expected value and compares this actual deviation with a value computed on the basis of the equal volume property of the process. The difference between the actual deviation and the calculated deviation is then used as an error signal to correct the mill or die setting to yield the desired output. This control system relies upon measurement of the entry gage before entry into the mill or die and adjusts the setting thereof when the material is in proximity thereto. Use of such before the fact measuring, permits control over the mill in accordance with the dimension of the material instantaneously under its bite. Ideally, therefore, material Wastage is minimized.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved automaticV control system for rolling mills or drawing mills wherein the mill or die separation is corrected to process an increment of material in accordance with signals developed in response to actual measurements of that particular increment of material. Thus, there is no material wastage due to physical separation lbetween the measuring means and the bite of the mill or die.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved automatic control system for rollingmills or drawing mills wherein theentry and exit volumes of the material in relation to the mill are monitored to produce an error signal calculated to adjust for desired output specilications.

A system employing the equal volume property used in the present invention has been disclosed in Patent No. 3,015,974, issued to Orville-E. Orbom, James B. Murkland, Jr., and Fred I. Schultz, on January 9, 1962, and assigned to the General Electric Company. In the cited patent,- the entry gage required to yield a desired output gage is calculated using the entering and exit strip length and the desired outputgage as variables. VThe required entry gage is then compared with the measured value of the entry gage. Assuming that the entry and exit Widths are identical, the difference between the calculated input gage and the actual input gage is used to control the mill l setting.

In general, deviations in entry gage are small in magnitude in comparison with the total entry page. VWhen calculations are Vperformed using large rather than small numbers, more stages of equipment are needed to obtain the same degree of accuracy. Also, where counting operations are involved, the time required to complete a cycle of operation wherein large numbers are involved is greater than thatrequired for smaller numbers. Ac- Cordingly, the present invention is directed toward developing control signals from the deviation of the entry gage from an expected value rather than from the actual entry gage value as in the cited patent. vAs a result of the invention, the control equipment is greatly simplified Yand the accuracy of the exit gage is controlled to a considerably smaller increment of error.

. Another object of the invention is to provide an irnproved automatic gage control system wherein the mills or dies are controlled in response to measurements of deviation-of the entry gage from an expected value; these deviations being compared with a calculated deviation from measured entry and exit velocities of the material and the known desired output gage.

. In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention, a mill stand is adjusted to provide a particular separation under control of signals derived from measurements ofthe 'increment of material at the bite of the mill. Digital tachometersat entry and exit points of the mill develop pulse trains having a repetition rate commensurate with the entry and exit velocity of the material being processed. These pulse trains are used as counting impulses to operate upon binary countdown registers which initially store numbers representing the'desired exit gage and the expected entry gage respectively. When the register initially containing the desired exit gage has been counted down to zero, the number still remaining inthe register initially containing the expected entry gate represents the entry gage deviation required to produce the desired output gage. compare this calculated required entry'gage deviation A Binary Comparator is used to withV a binary representation of theactual entry gage deviation in order to develop control,v signals for appropriate mill adjustment. not be made directlyV at the bite of the mill, the entry gage deviation is measured a known distance before the bite and stored in a shift register. Shifting pulses derived from the entry tachometer step the stored measurements in synchronismwith the material movement and facilitate comparison with the calculated value when the measured increment of material is in proximity with the millV bite.`

The novel features of the invention are setfor'th with particularity in the appended claims.V The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, togetherV with` further objects andfeaturesA thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the drawl FIGS. 2A-2K are illustrations of the symbols used toV represent the circuit elements employed in the illustrated embodiment; and

FIG. 3 through FIG. 14, when Vtaken together in accordance with the layout of FIG. 1A, is acircuit schematic of van illustrative embodiment of theV invention showing the various subcircuits employed to control a single stand of a mill.

Because gage measurements can-y 4 GENERAL DESCRIPTION The following equations illustrate mathematically the operations which are performed in order to generate control signals having an amplitude commensurate with the amount of mill correction required:

In the equations, H represents gage, and vc represents velocity of material movement. The subscrlpts i and o denote input and output quantities respectively. It

is assumed that the Width of the material does not chan-ge ,appreciably and consequently, may be disregarded.

Equation l expresses the constant volume property ofV the process. The Vtotal entry gage is'shown as the expected entry gage H1 plus the deviation from this value AH and theV total exit gage is shown as the desired output gage IFIo plus the deviation from this value AHO. The equal volume aspect of the process is included by multiplying the entry gage by the entry velocity v1 and the exit gage by the exit velocity v0.

"Equation 2 is obtained by extracting the input deviation AHl in Equation 1 and setting it up as a function of the other variables therein. Equation 3 sets forth the input gage deviation AH, when the output gage deviati-on AHL, is zero. In other words, Equation 3 indicates the input deviation required to develop the desired loutput gage Equations 4 and.5 illustrate the technique used in the system described hereinto obtain the required entry deviation AHH. Equation 4 indictaes that division of the desired exit Vgage Ho by a multiple of the entry velocity nvi, yields a time t. As shown by equation 5, if a quantity equal to the time t, thus established, 4is multiplied by the exit velocity nvo, and the product is subtracted from thefexpected entry gage H1, a `value s is obtained that is equal to the negative of the required entry gage deviation AHH.

' Subtraction of the required entry deviation AH, from theactual entrydeviation AH yields a valuedirectly pro- Iportional to the output gage deviation AHo which may Y Y consequently be used to cause corrective adjustmentof the mill.

InV the embodiment hereinafter described, a countdown register is preset with a binary number which represents the desired output gage and is counteddown to zero by the outputV of the entry tachometer in the time indicated in Equation 4. A second countdown register is preset 'with a binary V.number which represents the expectedentry gage and is counted down by.- the output of the exitl tachometer during the interval when the first registerV is going to zero. Ags Equation 5 illustrates, the number remaining inthe second register after the Irst has reached zero represents the negative of the required entry deviation for-correct output gage. VA digital comparator performs thesubtraction lof Equation 6to yield the desired v control signal.V

course of transportation, material 1i? is acted upon by mill 13 which comprises an upper roll 14 and a lower roll 1S. An entry digital tachometer 17 mounted in conjunction with an idler 16 measures the entry velocity. An entry gage 13 produces signals representative of gage deviations from a preset value. At the exit Iof the mill, on the right of FIG. l, an exit digital tachometer 19 operating in conjunction with an idler 2t) measures the exit velocity of the material,

The electrical equipment involved is functionally illustrated by -a plurality of blocks. ln order to insure that the measurements control the mill at the instant the increment of material measured enters the bite of the mill, the measured entry gage devi-ation is stored for a time equivalent to the time required for the material to move from the entry gage 1S to the bite ofthe mill. This storage is accomplished by means of a position shift register 21. The input to the shift register is a binary coded representation of the entry gage deviation dHi, detected by entry gage 18. In the embodiment shown hereinafter, the gage i8 is assumed to be of an analog type and consequently au analog-to-digital converter 22 is inserted in order to provide appropriate input informatien for shift register 21. The deviation gage information is shifted through shift register 21 in synchronism with the movement of the material from entry gage 1S to the bite lof the mill by the application of shift pulses from a counter 23 driven by entry digital tachometer i7. Counter 23 supplies shift pulses at some fixed interval, related to the transport time of material 16. For example, for every six inches yof travel of material l0, entry gage deviation values may be tread into shift register 21 and shifted along in synchronism with the material flow. Just before the measured increment Iof material enters the bite of the mill, position shift register 2 supplies the actual entry gage deviation to a comparator 24- wherein it is compared with the required entry gage deviation to develop a correction signal to adjust the mill and insure the desired output gage Ho.

Obviously, it is necessary to calculate the required input deviation in order to develop the corrective control signal set forth in Equation 6. This calculation is performed in the required input deviation calculator 25 shown at the top of FlG. 1. The inputs to this calculator include: the entry velocity vi, obtained from entry digital tachometer 17; a preset expected entry gage ligure H1; the exit velocity v0, obtained 4from exit digital tachometer ig; and the desired output gage Ho. The input deviation calculator ZS operates in response to this input data to provide the required input deviation A Hjr. The specific circuitry employed in required input deviation calculator 25 is shown in further detail hereinafter.

Comparator 24 functions in Well known fashion to develop a signal uniquely representative of the difference between its two inputs which, as shown by Equation 6 in column 4, is proportional to the correction required in the mill setting. In response to this signal, the mill is adjusted to provide the necessary separation at the bite to yield the desired exit gage.

FIG. 2 is a somewhat more detailed block diagram schematic showing the electronic Subcircuits employed to perform the calculating functions required. In FG. 2, provision is made for mill operation with material flow in either direction. In order to make this possible, symmetrical equipment is positioned on both sides of the mill stand and the data obtained therefrom is gated into the appropriate circuitry lfor calculating the desired values. Accordingly, whereas FIG. l illustrates only la single gage i8, FIG. 2 contains both a right gage 36 and left gage 31.

The circuitry required for developing binary data indicative of the measured deviation AH at the entry to the mill and storing that measured deviation until shortly before the measured increment of material is Vin the bite of the mill, is disposed generally across the upper portion of PlG. 2. Right gage Sli and left gage 3l are physically positioned to right and left of the mill stand respectively. The gage measurement that is used as expressinv the deviation from the expected entry gage is determined by the rolling direction and this is interpreted by a device 39 which may take any form, inclu-ding a manual switch. In accordance with the particular rolling direction involved, a signal is provided over lead 43 to a gate 32 which passes the gage information from either right gage 3? or left gage 31 to a position encoder 33. The function of the encoder is to convert the gage information into a binary form for insertion in a measured deviation register 34. Where the gages provide an analog output, as assumed herein, position encoder 33 functions to convert the analog signals to a binary form.

Pulse tachometers 35' and 36 are located von the left and right of the mill stand respectively and provide a plurality of pulses having a repetition rate commensurate With the speed of material flow. These pulses are selectively gated to count down either Deviation Interval Counter 3S and Sample Time Counter 53 or Deviation Calculation Counter 55 in accordance with the particular direction of material flow. This gating is under the control of the rolling direction indicator B and is controlled by a signal on lead d3. if it is assumed forward operation is in progress, pulse tachorneter 3S is on the entry side of the mill and the pulses therefrom will 'be applied via lead 4i) to Deviation Interval Counter 38 and after suitable delay therein will be applied via lead 41 to the Measured Deviation Register 34. The function of Deviation interval Counter 3S is to permit a predetermined length of material to pass 'between each registration of entry gage data into the Measured Deviation Register 34. This predetermined length will vary in accordance with the accuracy of control desired but, for example, may be arranged to provide a shift pulse on lead 4l for every six inches of material operated upon.

The joint application of shift pulses on lead di and gage data on lead d2 causes Measured Deviation Register 3d to shift the data therethrough and present it on lead 45 at the time the increment of material measured is almost at the bite of the mill. Lead 45 applies the gage data, representing the actual deviation of the entry gage AH, to Binary Comparator 46 wherein it is compared with the calculated deviation AHH. After comparison, the output stages supplying signals to leadl 45 are reset by a control pulse on lead 44 from Deviation Interval Counter 38.

The calculated deviation AH, for comparison with the measured deviation AHi, is developed by the circuitry appearing in the lower portion of FIG. 2. The .expected entry gage Hi and the desired output gage H0 are introduced into the control system by means of push-button panels SG and 51; the particular panel in which the data is stored being determined by the rolling direction anticipated. When the control system is energized, pulsing from puise generator 69 via Start-up circuit 61 is effective to preset the Entry Gage Storage Counter 54 with the expected entry gage information contained in the appropriate push-button panel Sti or 51. After setting the Entry Gage Storage Counter V54, the Start-up circuit 61 gates the desired output gage from the appropriate pushbutton panel 51 or 50 into Sample Time Counterl 53, and simultaneously initiates transfer of the entry gage data from Entry Gage Storage S4 to the Deviation Calculation Counter 55.

When the material Ibegins moving through the mill, control calculations are made by pulsing down the number representing the desired output gage Ho in Sample Time Counter 53 with the velocity vi providedr by entry tachometer 35 over lead 49. This establishes a period t in accordance with Equation 4 in column 4. During this countdown operation, the expected entry gage Hi in the Deviation Calculation Counter 55 is pulsed down by the velocity vo provided by exit tachometer 36 over Vtion AH, and the required input deviation AI-Ii'r.

7 lead 47. Gates 57 and 58 are simple logic gates employed to limit the period of countdown and are controlled by a Zero'lnterrogation circuit 59 which stops the countdown process in Sample ,Time Counter 53 and Deviation Calculation Counter 55 whenever Sample Time Counter 53 registers zero. The number existing in the Deviation Calculation Counter S when the Sample Time Counter 53 has been pulsed to Zero is transferred into the Calculated Deviation Storage 56. This number is equal to the re-V A quired input gage deviation AH,1P to obtain the desired output gage, so illustrated by Equation 5 in column 4. It is applied over lead 62 to the input ot' BinaryCornparator 46 for comparison withthe measured deviation AHL i i Binary Comparator 46 may be fabricated in any well known fashion. y It functions to provide an output which is equivalent tothe ditierence between the input devia- One binary comparator suitable for use in the instant embodiment is fully described in the co-pending patent application 0f K. R. Thompson, Serial No. 159,264, iiled December 14, 1961, and assigned to the General Electric Cornpany. The output of the Binary Comparator is in digital form and may be directly applied to control the mill adjusting screws. The mill control equipment is designated 63. It is converted in a conventional digital-to-analog converter 63 in order to develop an error sense indication. With the general functioning of this invention in mind,

S version denoted by the small circle on each input lead indicates that when no signals are present on all terminals, there will be an output.

FIG. 2E is the symbol used for an amplier. As indicated by the small circle'on the input terminal of this amplier symbol, the state of a signal transmitted through such an ampliiier is inverted.

FIG. 2F illustrates a Hip-flop. When a signal is applied to either of the set S terminals, the stage assumes a one state and an output signal appears at the 1 terminal. ThisV sig-nal is maintained after the set signal is removed until a second signal is applied at either of the reset R terminals.' Under the iniluence of a reset signal, the stage assumes a zero state and anv output signal appears at' the 0 terminal which is maintained after the reset signal is removed until another set signal is applied. If both setY and reset signals'are simultaneously applied, the output signal from both the l and a still more complete understanding Will be available v from a consideration of a specific circuitv designed to perform the described functions. It' should be understood, of course, that the Various blocks shown in FiG. Zand y the functions performed thereby may be developed in a number of -vvays by persons skilled in the art and that the specific circuitry illustrated in FIGS. 3 throughl 14 and described hereinafter, is merely by way of example. v

DETAILED DEsCRIPrr'oN Circuit symbology In order to more succinctly set forth the circuit schematic in FIGS. 3 through 14, conventional symbols haveV been used to representvarious logic and circuit functions. The symbols employed are set forth in FIGS. 2A through 2K. Any number of specific circuit conigurations may be developed by those skilled in the art to perform the functions designated by the various circuit symbols. Spe'cilic circuits have not been illustrated or cited except in rare instances Where the convenience of the reader would seem to be served thereby.

In the circuit schematic, output and input signals are negative with respect to ground, therefore any increase in voltage means that the voltage becomes less negative or approaches zero. The inputand outputsi-gnals are considered to be on, designated by a one state, for

voltages that are negative, and off design-ated by a ,zero state for voltages substantially zero. Signals are ,considered to be the inverse of one another when one signal is zero and the other is one or vice versa.

`'Consider the four logicelements depicted in FIGS. 2A through 2D. The symbol in FIG. 2A represents the OR function. The OR circuit is arranged to provide `an output signal when there is an input signal at either of the Vinput terminals. Thus, if either the upper or lower terminal has a one there will be a one output.

The inverted OR gate in FIG. 2B functions in a similar manner; however, in this c ase, the small circle at theoutput indicates inversion and consequently, when there is a signal on either input terminal, there will be A no `signal on the output terminal.

FIG. V2C represents an AND function wherein the Vcircuit is arranged to provide an output signal when there is 'an input signal at teach input terminal. In other Words, when the input on each input terminal is a one there Will be a one output. ment in FIG.Y 2D functions similarly; however, the in- The inverted AND ele-Y nal P will cause a change to the one state. Further,

an input signal on terminal SO plus a pulseon terminal P will cause a change to the zero state.

The counter stage shown in FIG. 2H is similar to the shift register stage. A distinction lies in the fact that the controlled Vset and reset terminals, S1 and S0 are internally connected to the input terminal P and consequently, every time a positive voltage transition is applied to terminal.P, the state of the counter is changed. `As in the yprevious cases, signals applied to the set S and reset R terminal are etfective'to place' the counter stage in a one or zero state respectively.

FIG. 2I illustrates thesymbol used for la one-shot multivibrator. Essentially, it .is a monostable multivibrator having an astablef period (sometimes cited within the symbol) adjusted in accordance with the needs of the circuitry it supplies. In Vresponse to a negative voltage transition' Ion the upper left hand input terminal, the One-shot multivibrator produces a gating pulse on the upper output terminal which is negative and on theV lower output terminal which is positive. In response to a positive voltage transition on the lower input terminal, this same output is made available.V

FIG. 2] illustrates the symbol used for a trigger source and it Will be understood that in response to the application of a pulse 'on input terminal P an output signal appears on output terminal 1; Under normal cond-ir tions, la signal output appears onV output termin-al 0 and this is modiiied only by the application of a signal to input terminal P. The presence of ka signal on ygate terminal G is eifective to inhibit the ,eff-ect of a signal oninput termin-a1 P and consequently, the trigger will retain its original state, i.e., no signal' on output l and a signal on output 0. Y

FIG. 2K illustrates the full adder element used Vin the illustrative embodiment of the invention asa portion of the binary comparator circuitry. The storage of information in such elements and their operation in response thereto 'has been described in the co-pending patent application of K. R. Thompson, Serial No. 159,264, tiled December 14, 1961. -Each element receivesy three input signals A, B and C (a rst and second number and a carry signal) and produces four output signals S, S0, C, C0 (set to one, set to Zero, carry, and no carry). The application of an input to either terminal A or B is effective to set the stage to one and produce a signal on the set S output. If signals are applied to both terminals A and B simultaneously, the full adder element kwill be set to zero producing signals on outputs S0 and C. In the event that the carry input terminal C is energized by a preceding stage simultaneously with an input on either input terminal A or B, the element will again be set to Zero and a carry pulse generated. In the fremaining case when all three input terminals are energized, the elemen. will be set to one and a carry pulse generated.

FGS. 3 through 14 when positioned as shown by the sheet layout of FlG. 1A present a complete circuit schematic of the basic circuits employed in an illustrative ernbodirnent of the invention. The various elements throughout this circuit bear descriptive notations having two distinct portions. A numerical prelix denotes the ligure upon which the element appears and an alphabetical suix is generally descriptive of the function performed by the particular circuit element. For example, Element SMDSP appears in FIG. 3 and is the measured deviation register hift puiser. The lead designations also bear numerical prennes indicative of the figure in which they originate. in order to minimize the number of leads interconnecting each sheet of drawing, a cable lli@ has been used. Generally, when a lead must connect elements appearing in diiierent figures, the lead is shown entering the cable at its point of origin and emerging again in the figure containing its point of destination.

ln the following, the circuit components and functioning will be described by considering in time sequence the operations performed both by an operator and the automatic control system. Generally speaking, after an operator has inserted data concerning the expected entry gage Hi and the desired output gage HO into a push-button panel, the control system is turned on and all subsequent operations are automatic. This fact is clearly shown by the detailed description.

.Manual insel-.fion of expecred entry gage and desired output gage The expected entry gage Hi and the desired output gage Ho :are inserted into the system by means of a push-button panel shown in HG. 5. The push-buttons are arranged in columns containing ten sets of push-buttons for discretely registering a number from zero to nine. in order to register decimal numbers having the orders of tenths through hundreds, four columns of push-buttons are provided for each gage number to be registered. Two complete arrays are provided to register both the entry gage and the output gage and for convenience, the arnays are grouped with the columns for each decimal digit adjacent to one another. Thus, the columns for registering the tenths digit of both the entry gage and output gage are illustrated together. Only one column of each array is shown because the connections in each column are identical. The columns in FlG. 5 are labeled left and right and the numbers registered therein represent the gage at the left and right of the mill respectively. Whether the numbers are entry or output gages depends upon the direction of operation.

Each column of push-buttons is Wired between a ground connection in FlG. 5 and multiplex units in P-G. 7 by four leads, for example, leads 5-21, .if-22, 5 24, and S-ZS, associated with the left column of the tenths digit. VThese leads are selectively conditioned in accordance with the set of buttons depressed to represent the number thereof in binary coded form; the order of the binary digit represented by each lead being the same as the rightrnost digit of the lead designation. Depressing any set of buttons is effective to selectively remove the ground connection from those leads normally considered to exhibit a l state in a standard l-Z-/t-S binary-coded-decimal notation for the number of the depressed set. Another acceptable arrangement would employ selectively placing a negative voltage on the leads considered to exhibit a l state.

Consider the selection of number 7 in the second column. ln this instance, leads S-l, S-Z, and 5-24 are removed from the ground connection appearing in the upper portion of the dgure whereas lead 5-18 remains l@ associated therewith. If the last digit of the lead notation is taken as the weighting of that lead from a binary standpoint, the number 7 is represented by the states on leads S-l, 5-12, 544, and 5-13 as 1 l 1 0. By similar ciruitry, each column of push-buttons establishes the conventional binary designation upon the output leads for the number registered.

By depressing the appropriate push-buttons, the expected entry gage and desired output gage are consequently registered in the gage preset panel. This preset information in binary-coded-decimal form is transmitted via multiplex units illustrated across the top of FIG. 7 to the Sample Time Counter wherein the information is used to establish the predetermined time f' shown in Equation 4 and used in calculating the required input deviation All, to insure gage output. The Sample Time Counter also functions to convert the entry gage information which is now in binary-coded-decimal form into straight binary form for insertion in the Deviation Calculation Counter. This functioning is considered more cornplctely hereinafter.

With the expected entry gage and desired output gage information preset into the system, it -is necessary to adjust the actual measuring gage S-hd or 3-95 so that it will directly read the deviation of entry gage from the expected value. Numerous commercially available gages may be used to provide such data. For purposes of description, it has been assumed that gages are used which provide the deviation information in analog form and consequently, an analog-to-digital converter 3-63 is used to translate it into binary form.

S mrt-up operation When each column of the push-button panel of the gage preset has a digit selected, a negative potential is applied to conductor 5-ill- Until this condition is met, no operations may proceed. After the condition is met, this negative potential is applied to enable the push-button permissive trigger QPBPT in FIG. 9 to initiate operations. Conductor 'ti-d1 enters cable itl@ in FIG. 3 and emerges in FIG. 9 to be connected to terminal P of 9PBPT. In response to the negative voltage on terminal P thereof, push-button permissive trigger 9PBPT provides a substantially zero voltage to the gate terminal of on trigger QONT.

Automatic operation starts by operating the start selector switch 9S in the upper left quadrant of FIG. 9. This connects a negative voltage to the P terminal of on trigger QONT and this, in turn, is etfective to produce a negative level or signal at output terminal 1 and a positive level or signal at output terminal O. The output from terminal l is applied to the upper input terminal of oneshot multivibrator SONP in order to generate a nega- 've output pulse for resetting the system in preparation for receipt of the new input information.

The output from ori-puiser 96N? is used to reset and enable the Start-Up Address circuit in FIG. 6 which prepares the system to begin calculation and generation of control signals upon movement of the mill. The negative pulse from on-pulser 90N? is transmitted through inverting OR gate @-ild, logic ampliiier 9 67, and conductor Jl-@S to the reset terminals of all stages of the Start-Up Address shift register in FIG. 6, except the first, 6SA1. Stage eSAlt has its set terminal S connected to the reset lead and consequently assumes a one state while all other stages are reset to zero states.

Other effects oi the negative pulse on conductor -ll include: resetting normal cycle flip-flop 9NC to zero; resetting all of the counter elements 13E-G1 through EEG? of the entry gage storage counter to zero in preparation for the storage of the expected entry gage storage number; and triggering of the one-shot multivibrator dSUll over conductor d-ltl which generates signals for initiating stepping of the Start-Up Address shift register in PEG. 6, as considered hereinafter. 

9. IN A SYSTEM FOR REDUCING STRIP MATERIAL FROM A GAGE OF A SUBSTANTIAL PREDETERMINED VALUE TO A DESIRED GAGE, MEANS FOR PASSING SAID MATERIAL THROUGH AN ADJUSTABLE MILL, MEANS FOR REGISTERING SAID PREDETERMINED VALUE AND SAID DESIRED GAGE, VELOCITY MEASURING MEANS LOCATED BEFORE AND AFTER SAID MILL TO MEASURE THE ENTRY AND EXIT VELOCITY OF SAID MATERIAL, CALCULATING MEANS OPERATIVE IN RESPONSE TO SAID PREDETERMINED VALUE, SAID ENTRY AND EXIT VELOCITIES, AND SAID DESIRED GAGE TO PRODUCE A CONTROL INDICATION REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REQUIRED DEVIATION IN THICKNESS OF SAID MATERIAL TO YIELD SAID DESIRED GAGE, MEASURING MEANS LOCATED BEFORE SAID MILL FOR MEASURING THE DEVIATION OF THE THICKNESS OF SAID MATERIAL FROM SAID PREDETERMINED VALUE AND PRODUCING A DISCRETE INDICATION THEREOF, MEANS FOR STORING SAID DISCRETE INDICATION UNTIL THE MEASURED INCREMENT OF MATERIAL IS SUBSTANTIALLY AT THE BITE OF SAID MILL, AND COMPARISON MEANS RESPONSIVE TO SAID DISCRETE INDICATION AFTER STORAGE AND TO SAID CONTROL INDICATION TO DEVELOP CONTROL SIGNALS FOR SELECTIVELY ADJUSTING SAID MILL. 